The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was showing my collection to an out of state collector and he commented how nice my Amberola would look if it were refinished to golden oak. I was at a total loss for words except inappropriate ones. A short time ago someone started a thread about your favorite cylinder machine. This is my favorite Edison and it's the same one that was the object of the stupid comment. Jerry

When I posted my first phonograph, and Edison BC-34 on my facebook page a (smartxxx) co-worker commented "how many mp3s can you store in it?". Smart questions ask for smart answers, so I responded that a 16GB memory stick can hold thousands of mp3s and that I can throw thousands of memory sticks into the cabinet, so it pretty much has close to unlimited mp3 storage. More "likes" on my response than on his question...
Next time he asked about an interface to hook it up to his iPad. I told him sure, it's called a microphone...

My son did a presentation about the beginnings of recorded sound at his high school and showed off my VV-50 with Ink Spots "I don't want to set the world on fire". Everyone was excited that it did not need any electricity and that it played the song from Fallout 3.

I also had mostly good experience with young people, they are just amazed and think it's cool. I also get the most smartxxx comments from adults in their 40s-60s. I usually win them over with analogies to current technology. I let them lift the VV-50 and tell them it's the 1920s version of an iPod and was just as cool back then.

Andreas

Alange, Cunning I must say! I think that's awesome that your son was able to do that. Bringing anything into my school that plays sound is generally frowned upon and are usually punished. I go to one of the strictest public schools you've ever seen.Anyways, I'll be doing a presentation in my English class next week about how a reproducer works! What a coincidence.

ColumbiaBY wrote:Alange, Cunning I must say! I think that's awesome that your son was able to do that. Bringing anything into my school that plays sound is generally frowned upon and are usually punished. I go to one of the strictest public schools you've ever seen.Anyways, I'll be doing a presentation in my English class next week about how a reproducer works! What a coincidence.

i took a gramophone into school twice!, i played "when im cleaning windows" by george formby

kirtley2012 wrote:

ColumbiaBY wrote:Alange, Cunning I must say! I think that's awesome that your son was able to do that. Bringing anything into my school that plays sound is generally frowned upon and are usually punished. I go to one of the strictest public schools you've ever seen.Anyways, I'll be doing a presentation in my English class next week about how a reproducer works! What a coincidence.

i took a gramophone into school twice!, i played "when im cleaning windows" by george formby, and i took my fireside into school once, that sturred up some interest!!

Jerry B. wrote:I was showing my collection to an out of state collector and he commented how nice my Amberola would look if it were refinished to golden oak. I was at a total loss for words except inappropriate ones. A short time ago someone started a thread about your favorite cylinder machine. This is my favorite Edison and it's the same one that was the object of the stupid comment. Jerry

Yea Jerry that is a dumb comment the guy made. Golden oak is not that interesting. If I were you I'd "antique" it and spray paint that bedplate gold.

Valecnik wrote:

Jerry B. wrote:I was showing my collection to an out of state collector and he commented how nice my Amberola would look if it were refinished to golden oak. I was at a total loss for words except inappropriate ones. A short time ago someone started a thread about your favorite cylinder machine. This is my favorite Edison and it's the same one that was the object of the stupid comment. Jerry

Yea Jerry that is a dumb comment the guy made. Golden oak is not that interesting. If I were you I'd "antique" it and spray paint that bedplate gold.

Ohmigawd..it's a miracle: you're channeling my mother......

JRT

After years of dealing with vintage cars at public events and the eventual questions of "What is it worth?" I have developed this answer. "it's not worth anything because I really don't want to sell it". If they press further and they do with the question "Well what if you need the money for an emergency, yada...yada...?" I ask back "what do you think its worth?" Leading to "I don't know what it's worth, that's why I'm asking you." Then I retort: If you have to ask how much it is you really can't afford it!

The average person cannot believe we are into this stuff for monetary purposes. I'm just a custodian for the next generation of owners. Also I inform anybody who sees my collection, "as you can see I collect dust and occasionally phonographs".

My phonographs have been to college twice as well. My Victrola VV-VIIIa went to school for a presentation on early recording, and my Edison Standard (with Morning Glory horn) went for a display on Thomas Edison. Both of those times, and when my friends hear about them, I get the same stupid questions, which get the same sarcastic responses:

1. Why do you have these?
-Because I like them, and appreciate all sorts of much, played the way they were originally designed to be played.

2. How much are they worth?
-About as much as your (specify video game system), but in 10 years when your (specify video game system) is sitting in a landfill broken, mine will still be worth about the same.

3. Why don't you get an iPod?
-I have one, with much of this music on it. Unfortunately, computers/ipods crash, then where is your itunes playlist? Gone. My records will still be there, ready to play. Also, I can usually buy these records cheaper than an itunes song.

-If that response doesn't help, see #1

4. But you have to crank it.
-So? It's cheaper than a gym membership.

I'm sure I am missing more, but those are the general ones I get, and I get them with classic cars and model trains as well. The thing I remember is that I do them because I like them, not to please other people.

Of course, there are always the people who, although they might not care for them, support you in it. Those are the people you should surround yourself with.

Damfino59 wrote:
The average person cannot believe we are into this stuff for monetary purposes.

I'll remember that the next time someone posts a e-bay ad for a common portable asking 4,000 dollars.